Testing and determining a threshold value

Abstract

This invention relates to testing and determining a threshold value used in psychometric testing in field of ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and visual neuropsychology. The method comprises at least the following steps: a) displaying a symbol with a distinctive visual appearance and with a stimulus level to a display at a stimulus time-point, the symbol selected from a group of possible symbols, b) monitoring if a response is given on a response device with multiple choices, each choice representing a possible visual appearance or location of the symbol, and b1) if a response is not given in a response time-limit from the stimulus time-point, increasing the stimulus level of the symbol by a predetermined step and returning to step a), or b2) if a response is given in the response time-limit from the stimulus time-point, comparing the response to symbol displayed in step a), and c1) if the response does not correspond to the symbol displayed in step a), producing, e.g. displaying, an error feedback and returning to step a), or c2) if the response corresponds to the symbol displayed in step a), determining if stop criteria for the test is satisfied, and d1) if stop criteria for the test is not satisfied, decreasing the stimulus level by a predetermined step and returning to step a), or d2) if stop criteria for the test is satisfied, ending the test.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Method for testing and determining a threshold value in psychometric testing in field of ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and visual neuropsychology, the method comprising at least the following steps:
 a) displaying a symbol ( 102 ) with a distinctive visual appearance and with a stimulus level to a display ( 101 ) at a stimulus time-point, the symbol having been selected from a group of possible symbols, 
 b) monitoring if a response is given on a response device ( 103 ) with multiple choices ( 104 ,  105 ), each choice representing a possible visual appearance or location of the symbol, and 
 b1) if a response is not given in a response time-limit from the stimulus time-point, increasing the stimulus level of the symbol by a predetermined step and returning to step a), or 
 b2) if a response is given in the response time-limit from the stimulus time-point, comparing the response to symbol ( 102 ) displayed in step a), and 
 c1) if the response does not correspond to the symbol displayed in step a), producing an error feedback and returning to step a) to display a new symbol having the same stimulus level as the previous symbol, 
 d1) if stop criteria for the test is not satisfied, decreasing the stimulus level by a predetermined step and returning to step a), or 
 d2) if stop criteria for the test is satisfied, ending the test. 
 
     
     
       2. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said response time-limit is more than 0.5 seconds but less than 3 seconds. 
     
     
       3. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said group of possible symbols comprises only two possible symbols. 
     
     
       4. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said stimulus level of the symbol is the size of the symbol. 
     
     
       5. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said stimulus level of the symbol is the contrast level of the symbol on the display. 
     
     
       6. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 if a response is not given in a response time-limit and the previous response corresponded to the displayed symbol, or 
 if the response corresponds to the symbol displayed and the previous response was not given in a response time-limit, then 
 
       the predetermined step by which the stimulus level of the symbol is changed is decreased from its previous value. 
     
     
       7. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein, if for a number of times in a row,
 a response is not given in the response time-limit from the stimulus time-point, or 
 the response corresponds to the symbol displayed in step a), 
 
       then the predetermined amount by which the stimulus level of the symbols are changed is increased. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said error feedback is a member of the group consisting of a visual message, an audible error sound and a vibration message.